EVs and hybrids approach half of Australian new car sales amid ongoing fuel crisis
Australians bought EVs and hybrids at nearly same rate as petrol cars between April and June, Australian Automobile Association data shows Australians are now buying electric and hybrid vehicles at the same rate as traditional petrol-powered cars, according to new data that shows EV sales doubled in the months after the peak of the fuel price spike. Fuel prices are again on track to top $2 a…
Australians are increasingly opting for electric and hybrid vehicles, with sales of these alternative fuel options reaching nearly the same level as traditional petrol-powered cars, according to new data from the Australian Automobile Association (AAA). EV sales have more than doubled in the second quarter of 2026, up from 34,435 vehicles in the first quarter to 69,414 between April and June, marking the largest-ever quarterly rise for electric vehicles.
Hybrid sales also reached an all-time high but were surpassed by the surge in EV purchases. In contrast, sales of conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles dropped from 64.23% in the first quarter to 50.84% in the most recent data, marking the lowest-ever market share for petrol-powered vehicles and their biggest-ever quarterly decline.
The AAA's EV Index, which started tracking data in 2022, shows that ICE cars accounted for nine out of every ten sales during the initial period. The fuel crisis, triggered by instability in the Middle East, led to a peak in fuel prices in March, which prompted the federal government to reduce the fuel excise on March 30, providing some relief at the pump.
This data reveals a significant shift in consumer preferences towards more environmentally friendly and cost-effective transportation options amidst ongoing fuel price challenges.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
